Colorado Firm Recalls Beef and Pork Products Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2014 – European Meat Products Inc., a Lakewood, Colo., establishment, is recalling approximately 130,000 pounds of fresh and ready-to-eat beef and pork products because of misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain wheat, a known allergen which is not declared on the labels.

The products bear the establishment number “EST. 7725” inside the USDA Mark of Inspection. The recalled products were produced prior to January 17, 2014. The products were shipped to distributors, restaurants and retail establishments in California, Colorado, and Illinois.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during a routine food safety assessment label review. The problem occurred due to a change in ingredient formulation without a corresponding change in the finished product label. FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall should contact Phong Tong, a company executive, at (303) 233-3111.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at askkaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. “Ask Karen” live chat services are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. For information on how to report a problem with a meat, poultry or processed egg product to FSIS at any time, visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.

USDA Recall Classifications

Class I

This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

Class II

This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.

Class III

This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.